Page 11 of Blooms of Darkness

My breathing hitched, growing shallower as I panted harder with each step. The adrenaline rush depleted completely, and my body rebelled by reverting to a sluggish pace. I had to pause and place my head on the cool tunnel wall to steady myself. Ian pulled a small cloth from his pocket and wrapped it around the wound to avoid blood dripping on the palace floors.

Just a few more minutes. I could do this.

“Elisabeth said she would be in her room tonight,” I wheezed. “Just get me inside and then return to the barracks, before anyone asks any questions.”

“I will make sure you are safe before I take my leave,” Ian whispered, releasing my arm and reaching for my hand instead. “I will take the punishment if caught.”

I squeezed his hand. “Then let's hurry.”

Soon, the narrowing tunnel opened to the castle grounds, just outside the northern gardens. We sprinted through the gardens and grabbed the servants’ doors, leading to the kitchen. Ian creaked them open and peered in both directions. It may be the middle of the night, but our path still took us through a common area where anyone in the castle could linger.

I sucked in a breath. A shadow danced along the stone walls in the moonlight. Ian gripped my arm, noticing it, too. A figure approached.

Tension immediately dissipated as a spiky tail came into view, followed by the furry paws and body of the palace pugron. Despite its cute, smooshed nose, short stubby legs, soft fur, and friendly appearance, one wrong move, and the beast would light you on fire with its breath.

“Lucien,” I hissed as the playful stray wagged its dangerous tail in a flurry.

Ian knelt and the pugron rubbed along his calf as he petted the creature, careful to avoid the spikes on the beast's back as well. “Shh, good boy. Run along and make sure Lana’s scent is covered.”

Ian swore to the Fates themselves, to anyone who’d listen really, that the beast understood him. As the pugron retreated and retraced our steps, I believed him.

There weren't any other sounds now that Lucien strode away. Nature provided once again tonight, guiding us, undeterred.

We entered the castle itself, silently shutting the door.

Through the open glass windows, a shadow cast our path from the moonlight’s glow. We found a figure hunched over near one of the far counters, muttering and mumbling.

My body stiffened at the sight.

Ian clasped my hand, each of us recognizing the lone figure the moment their back straightened, before they had even turned upon sensing us.

“Andras?” I hissed, recognizing my father’s Royal Adviser in the middle of the night.

His back straightened fully as he whipped around. “Princess Illiana.” His tongue ran over his teeth as his mouth curved in a gruesome grin.

A grin that haunted too many nightmares.

Daggers above.

Of all the assholes to run into, it had to be this monster.

“What, pray tell, are you doing out of your chambers at this time of night?”

I shifted, subtly pulling my arm from Ian’s grasp and placing it behind me. “Andras, I could be asking you the same thing.”

“Your father woke with a fever and I’m gathering a cup of tea for His Royal Highness. Common in my role. What’s not common is a princess out with the help”—He looked Ian up and down with disdain—“in secret.”

“I couldn’t sleep, so I asked Ian to accompany me for a walk in the gardens. A bit of fresh air has helped to clear my head. I am on my way back to my room now,” I said, hoping my voice sounded bored and not as on edge as I felt.

Andras narrowed his eyes, unquestionably debating informing the king he’d found me with Ian when he returned to my father’s chambers. Sometimes I’d swear he could see right through me. “Captain Stronholm, return to the barracks immediately after Princess Illiana is in her room. We wouldn’twant any further rumors flying around about the princess, now, would we?”

People were far from subtle when speaking of the two of us. It felt like a slap in the face some days, the absolute disrespect for him, and me. Andras never cared of the way in which he spoke to me, out of line or not. “Good night to the both of you.”

He grabbed the teacup and saucer and strode forward, his long, curly onyx hair stiff beneath the golden circular cap he always wore as he exited the kitchen.

I released a heavy breath. “Bleeding hell. We need to move fast—I am starting to get dizzy.” The wound pulsed in my arm. Ineededto get to Elisabeth now, or Ian would be carrying me the rest of the way.

Without additional interruptions, we made it to Elisabeth’s chambers. My partner in crime didn’t even bother knocking on her door, dragging me into the maiden’s chamber.

---